Here are six key moments from Albanese’s Friday speech at the National Press Club in Canberra.

Australia Day is a ‘celebration’

“The Australia Day awards tomorrow night are an inspiration every year. And the citizenship ceremony — seeing the joy of people pledging their allegiance to our country is something that lifts me up every year.”

“But it’s one in which we can celebrate what we are today — whether it be our great history going back 65,000 years or whether it is the arrival of Europeans here, or whether it be the great multicultural nation we’ve built.”

“One of the things that Australia Day celebrates is the fact that we’re not a Soviet-style command system. You know, like just chill out! Get on with life!”

Election a choice between ‘two fundamentally different approaches’

He added: “It’s a choice between our determination and optimism, or their fear and negativity.”

Albanese on Dutton’s ‘weakness’

Albanese also responded to requests to have three debates at the National Press Club. While he deferred to his campaign director Paul Kerikssen, he added that he would, “even offer to give Peter Dutton a lift down from Parliament House in case he can’t find it”.

No more referendums

“So, I’m focused on practical outcomes and making a difference. That’ll be my focus next term.”

$10k cash boost for tradies

Albanese said Labor would raise the allowance paid to apprentices living away from home and will provide up to $10,000 through the new program to eligible bricklayers, electricians, carpenters and plumbers. This will come in the form of five payments of $2,000.

On his legacy

“This will transform the way that Australia functions. It will transform opportunity and will make sure that every young Australian gets the best start in life.”